The Causes of Acid Reflux
November 5, 2009 by admin
Filed under Acid Reflux Causes
Although many people suffer from this illness, few are actually aware of the causes of acid reflux. This affection, also referred to as GERD, short for gastroesophageal reflux disease, plagues many individuals around the world, causing discomfort and even pain. It occurs due to the gastric contents entering the esophagus and attacking the esophageal tissue.
Studies have shown that, in most cases, patients diagnosed with GERD follow the treatment for their condition without as much as a thought regarding the causes of acid reflux – in other words, they don’t know what they did wrong in the first place, in order to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future. Health care providers should not only inform their patients of the affections they are suffering from and the appropriate treatments, but also of the causes.
One of the common causes of acid reflux is the increased acidity of the gastric fluids. While everyone experiences gastric reflux, in the case of GERD patients the refluxed substances have a considerably higher acidity. The acid attacks the lining of the esophagus, causing the characteristic burning sensation known as heartburn.
Acid reflux may also occur as a result of a malfunctioning lower esophageal sphincter. This is among the top causes of acid reflux during pregnancy, when the growing baby is also putting pressure on the abdominal internal organs.
Esophageal contractions may also be one of the causes of acid reflux. In some cases, the contractions are so powerful that they force the contents of the stomach back into the esophagus.
Hiatal hernias are another factor which may favor the onset of GERD. A hernia is a situation where the stomach penetrates through the diaphragm and into the chest. This also causes a weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter, further increasing the patient’s risk of acid reflux.
There are other causes of acid reflux, however they are less common. Medication or a lower than normal speed of the digestive process can also occasionally lead to GERD. However, although there are numerous factors which may cause or favor the onset of this affection, there are also various means of treating the disease. It is recommended that you consult your personal physician in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis, to learn what caused your illness and how to treat it effectively.
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